Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cibolo, TX to Grand Prairie, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
260.8 mi
420 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cibolo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cibolo, TX to Grand Prairie, TX is 260.8 miles and takes about 4 hours 45 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This single-day trip primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas. Expect a driving experience that involves navigating local roads and city streets, rather than a pure interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is well-suited for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stop, provided you manage your time effectively.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.4 miles from Cibolo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 182 mi | 3h 11m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 9 mi | 9m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Belt Line Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 1103 | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Interstate 35 North | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 182 mi, about 3h 11m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,763 veh/hr typical · worst 4,358
Quietest
2 AM
~649 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cibolo, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto FM 1103
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 1103
3
Continue on FM 1103
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 1103
4
Turn slight right
233 ft
·
4 sec
5
Turn slight right onto Interstate 35 North
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 35 North
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 35 North
7
Merge onto I 35
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 20
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 457
Toward FM 1382
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
South Belt Line Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto Southeast 9th Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southeast 9th Street
19
Turn left onto TX 180
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
20
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour 45-minute drive, starting early is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. While the total distance is manageable for a single day, breaks are still essential. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on local roads is substantial, and filling up before hitting that segment is a good idea. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature, staying attentive to navigation is key to staying on track.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.4 miles from Cibolo, TX, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.4 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Prairie, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cibolo, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cibolo, TX
This is one driving day of about 260.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Cibolo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 182 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.4 miles from Cibolo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteRipley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 254.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 35 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
197.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
244.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
254.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward FM 1382
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 457
Toward FM 1382
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.72 one way
$71.44 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $39.90 | $79.80 |
| premium | $4.23 | $43.38 | $86.76 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.24 | $98.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.2 | 0 | $27.38 | $12.52 |
| Efficient EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.82 | $10.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.51 | $16.69 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Cibolo, TX
Night in Cibolo on Sunday
Local time
9:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:55AM CDT until July 20 at 3:42PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:52AM CDT until July 19 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Grand Prairie, TX
Night in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
9:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:55AM CDT until July 20 at 3:42PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:52AM CDT until July 19 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
130 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 161.9
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 26% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a dynamic drive, shifting between local roads and portions of major freeways like I-35E and the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 182 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a significant period of consistent travel before you need to make further adjustments. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you navigate through various communities.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 35 / Purple Heart Trail.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 260.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
820 ft
503 ft
Total Climb
532 ft
Total Descent
715 ft
Highest Point
820 ft
~74.5 mi in
Elevation Range
317 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Cibolo, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1863
Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 260.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Grand Prairie, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Grand Prairie, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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